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New society forms in Steveston

Organization founder says business and property owners, residents are welcome to join for free
Davood
Steveston business owner Davood Khatami (right) and local resident Nadine Jarry are part of a new group called Steveston Village Voice Society, which has formed to organize events in the village. Photo by Alan Campbell

A new society has taken root in Steveston which promises to include business owners, property owners and residents alike.

The Steveston Village Voice Society (SVVS) was formally registered recently by a couple of local businessmen and a resident to primarily organize events and, as the name suggests, lend a voice to all concerned.

One of its founders, Davood Khatami – who owns and operates Davood’s Bistro on No. 1 Road and Moncton Street – said he decided to form SVVS after co-hosting the inaugural OktoberfeSteveston event last fall.

Khatami said, as much as he enjoyed putting events like that together, he would love more shoulders leaning on the wheel and wants to mobilize the ample support he feels is out there in the Steveston community.

“It gives another voice to the village; we can function better as a society, more efficiently, as opposed to it always being Davood,” said Khatami.

“This gives us a bigger voice to approach organizations, such as the city. It gives it more credibility.”

The society, said Khatami, has three directors right now – himself, Dominique Jarry, who owns Sugar Art, and local resident Paul Pedersen – with hopes of garnering more support when a sign-up sheet comes out during the summer.

“I’ve been talking to many people and they love the idea; I hope to get them involved very soon,” he said.

“There is no membership fee but people can donate, if they wish. We won’t be knocking on people’s doors for membership fees.

“Our primary function will be to organize events in the village. We will likely get together every month or few months. It totally depends on what we want to organize.”

Another Steveston local who is keen to sign up for the society is Nadine Jarry - daughter of SVVS director Dominique Jarry - who has called the village home for 20 years.

“It’s nice to know that, if something’s going on, you can at least have a say in it and be informed; whether it’s a big event or any new bylaws in the village,” said Nadine.

“I do get affected by things happening here, even though I don’t own a business.

“I think it’s a great platform or avenue for people to get involved in the village and its events, as it’s for business owners, employees, property owners and residents. Anyone that has a stake in Steveston, really.”

Acknowledging that Steveston Community Association might tick many of the engagement boxes she, as a resident, may have, Nadine said she doesn’t think you “have to have one thing over the other.”

“I think it’s great to have options to connect with people in the village.

“What I like about this is that it’s very event-focused and brings together people of all backgrounds in Steveston.”

Aware that some may view the society’s birth being in conflict with Steveston Merchants Association’s (SMA) ongoing bid to form a business improvement association (BIA), Khatami said he has absolutely nothing against the SMA.

“I’m not here to fight anybody or go against the SMA. I want the village to work together.

“We don’t stand against the SMA, but we don’t want a BIA here, it’s as simple as that. Steveston doesn’t need beautification or a BIA, it’s the city’s job to put up flowers.”

The formation of a Steveston BIA would impose a mandatory levy on local businesses, which would be collected by the City of Richmond, on behalf of the BIA.

The move to form a BIA in Steveston has been in the works for many years, but it has been far from smooth sailing, with many businesses in the village opposed to its creation, citing the added expense.

More outreach by the SMA is now taking place in the village and a statement released to The News by the consultant conducting the outreach, Michelle Barile, told of “misinformation about BIAs” being circulated by some local businesses.

“The ultimate goal is to connect and provide accurate information. There has been valuable dialogue and interest in receiving information about the BIA opportunity,” Barile said.

The next open house is on July 27 at the Japanese Building at Steveston Museum from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“We will provide a proposal to business and property owners, and the city, about what a BIA costs, how it operates, proposed budget options and projects,” added Barile. “We aim to complete our outreach this fall.”

Last year, as part of the BIA bid, the SMA formed the Steveston Business Development Alliance (SBDA) and unsuccessfully asked the City of Richmond to chip in $30,000 towards a $42,000 community outreach study, in order to determine support for a BIA.

Anyone interested in joining the society can go to its Facebook page (search Steveston Village Voice) or call Davood at 604-277-2687.